New Hampshire Man Pleads Guilty to Father’s Death After 20 Years

A 40-year-old man from New Hampshire, Douglas Herlihy, faces a prison sentence of up to 24 years after admitting to killing his father over two decades ago. According to the New Hampshire Department of Justice, Herlihy confessed to the crime, which he committed when he was 17 years old.

The relationship between Douglas and his father, Paul Herlihy, was fraught with violence and law enforcement encounters prior to the murder. Paul Herlihy, then 50 years old, was found deceased on August 27, 2003. The discovery followed a welfare check requested by a relative. When officers entered his residence in Milford, New Hampshire, they noticed a large number of flies and a strong smell of decomposition.

Paul Herlihy’s body was discovered wrapped in carpet and covered with a tarp in the kitchen. Blood spatters were visible on the kitchen cabinets, the refrigerator, the walls, and the ceiling. An autopsy revealed that blunt-force trauma had caused his death, occurring during the four days before the body was found. His injuries included damage to the nose, jaw, skull fractures, and a compromised voice box, indicating repeated blows to the head.

Outside Douglas Herlihy’s bedroom window, police discovered blood-stained carpet and padding. The courtroom documents suggested that the carpet was pushed out from the window. DNA tests indicated that the blood might have belonged to Paul Herlihy.

In Douglas’s bedroom, investigators discovered a closet door covered with a towel. Removing this towel revealed writing that read: ‘I WILL SEE YOU IN HELL,’ according to the arrest affidavit. Despite these discoveries, no killer was identified at the time.

Years later, Douglas Herlihy had several run-ins with the law, including charges related to drugs and a stolen vehicle. During a 2020 arrest, he allegedly boasted about his ability to evade consequences, claiming he ‘beat’ his first case at 17 years old. This statement led officers to suspect past violent actions.

Though Douglas Herlihy consistently denied involvement in his father’s death, an arrest warrant was issued in June 2025 based on the findings. Authorities arrested him in Saugus, Massachusetts and later extradited him to New Hampshire.

Douglas Herlihy faced charges that included two counts of second-degree murder and falsifying evidence. He opted for a plea agreement on a manslaughter charge, resulting in a 12 to 24-year prison sentence. An additional 3 ½ to 7 years for attempting to falsify evidence was suspended for 20 years.

‘This case is a reminder that the pursuit of justice does not end with the passage of time,’ said New Hampshire Attorney General John M. Formella. He praised the investigators and prosecutors for their efforts on this long-standing case. ‘The New Hampshire Cold Case Unit remains committed to solving cases, no matter how old,’ he added.

A sentencing hearing is expected to take place in early 2027. The Herlihy family has requested privacy and declined media interaction, as noted by the New Hampshire Department of Justice’s Cold Case Unit. Attempts to reach Herlihy’s attorney for comments were unsuccessful.